The campaign was announced in September with a goal of $6.3 million. The United Way raised $6.2 million in the previous year's campaign. United Way organizations in both Hampshire and Franklin counties report the possibility of narrowly missing their goals as well this year

But Dora D. Robinson, president and CEO of the United Way of Pioneer Valley, said she was happy not only with the money but with the partnerships and leadership the United Way has shown over the past year. She emphasized volunteerism, too, pointing out that United Way rounded up 1,200 people to help out at its annual Day of Caring in September and plans just as large an event in September 2013.

United Way of Pioneer Valley serves serves all of Hampden County along with the towns of Granby and South Hadley.

"It's really the collaborative effort that will make a difference," Robinson said. "That's how we can really make progress in goals like increasing high school graduation rates or ensuring reading proficiency by the fourth grade."

All United Ways are focused on three main policy goals, she said: income and economic security; education, and health and safety.

United Way funding will get divvied up among 40 to 50 funded partner organizations, Robinson said. In a switch, all those organizations are on a three-year, not a one-year, funding cycle now for the first time. The longer funding cycle allows funded organizations to plan better and it also allows the United Way to follow up and require measurable results before funding is continued for another three-year cycle.

"It's about moving that needle," Robinson said.

United Way of Hampshire County will collect between $1.23 million and $1.24 million in a campaign that won't end until next month, said James Ayres, executive director there.

Linda Stacy, president of the United Way of Franklin County, said her group is at about 98 percent of its $790,000 goal but will end up just short when its campaign year concludes next month.

"A lot of our workplace partners have gone through a lot of changes," she said, meaning corporate cutbacks mean fewer employees and fewer employees mean fewer people donate to the United Way through those weekly payroll deductions that have been the United Way's bread and butter for generations.

Ayres said United Way of Hampshire County is in the same boat but increases in donations from professionals and employers themselves are making up part of the difference.